Today i.e. September 15, 2025, is the last date for submission of Income Tax Returns (ITR) for individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), and non-audit constituents for the Financial Year (FY) 2024-25 (Assessment Year 2025-26). The due date was originally July 31, 2025, but the Income Tax Department extended it to September 15 to allow structural changes to the ITR forms and the corresponding filing utilities made during the first half of the year.
Reason for Extension
The extension was required because of “structural and content revisions” made to the income tax return forms. These necessitated changes in the backend systems and filing utilities, which increased the time and made it difficult to file for certain taxpayers. Thus, the Department provided an extra window of 46 days beyond the regular deadline to relieve the taxpayers and facilitate smooth compliance.
No Further Extension Confirmed
In spite of running rumours and social media tweets guessing another extension after September 15, the Income Tax Department has categorically rejected such a move. Taxpayers are requested to strictly follow official notifications from the Income Tax Department’s authentic sources and to file on or before today to steer clear of penalties and issues.
Consequences of Late Filing and Belated Filing
Taxpayers who fail to file until today are still allowed to file a belated return on or before December 31, 2025, but with penalties of up to Rs 5,000 based on income, in addition to interest on overdue tax amounts. Filing late can result in:
- Loss of some deductions and tax reliefs, including exemptions under house rent allowance (HRA), employee provident fund contribution (80C), and leave travel allowance (LTA).
- Greater scrutiny by tax authorities.
- Potential delay in refund processing.
Support System for Taxpayers
To meet the surge on the last day, the Income Tax Department has upgraded its technical support by having 24/7 help desk services through calls, live chats, WebEx meetings, and social media sites to guide taxpayers in filing returns with ease.
Filing Tips and Compliance
Taxpayers are requested to choose the appropriate ITR form based on their income source- salary, business income, capital gains, etc. to avoid invalid filing. Timely and correct filing ensures hassle-free compliance and avoids legal issues.
What to Conclude?
Today is the final and non-extendable deadline as of now for the majority of taxpayers to submit their ITRs for FY 2024-25 without penalty. Those who default should submit belated returns by December 31 but with possible penalties and lower benefits. The Income Tax Department’s strong stand on the deadline, enhanced support, and regular reminders reinforce the significance of punctual compliance to minimise negative impacts.
